| − | Astatine is far too rare to have any uses, but some researchers think that astatine would behave like [[iodine]]. If so, it could be used to treat certain diseases of the thyroid, such as thyroid cancer. When swallowed, the astatine would go to the thyroid. There, the [[radiation]] it gives off would kill cancer cells in the gland. | + | Astatine is far too rare to have any uses, but some researchers think that astatine would behave like [[iodine]]. If so, it could be used to treat certain diseases of the thyroid, such as [[thyroid]] cancer. When swallowed, the astatine would go to the thyroid. There, the [[radiation]] it gives off would kill cancer cells in the gland. |